All posts by Paul Edwards

We are pleased to be helping Supernova3d establish tensile strength properties for a variety of polymeric formulations after timed exposures to simulated UV weathering through window glass filters in accordance with BS EN ISO 4892-2 using method B and cycle 2.

Window glass filters used during xenon arc exposures are intended for testing materials that are used indoors but may be subjected to long periods of solar radiation passing through window glass.

Supernova provide an advanced 3D printing technology for energetic materials with over 88% solid load, pushing the boundaries of component performance normally associated with this type of manufacturing process.

We are pleased to be helping MyEnergy Ltd confirm the UV weathering durability of their newer version Zappi EV charger control panel membranes.

The ZAPPI EV charger is designed to work in perfect harmony with future eco-smart technology, providing you ultimate control of your energy, with lower cost charging and the ability to charge using free solar energy.

We are pleased to be supporting BBA with UKAS accredited rotary Taber abrasion testing according to ASTM D4060 and ISO 7784-2 for building industry sector paint systems.

The British Board of Agrément (BBA) drives industry safety by providing services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk. Since 1966, the BBA has built its position as an independent certification body in the Construction and Civil Engineering Industries.

The Accelerated Weathering Laboratory based in Calne, Wiltshire are pleased to announce that contract review discussions for accelerated UV resistance conditioning, Impact and Taber abrasion testing are continuing with various drone and composite manufactures based in and around the Swindon area.

They include the new Un-crewed Systems Centre (USC), based at the DroneTEX facility in Swindon, that will help the UK’s armed forces stay at the leading edge of innovation and take advantage of constantly evolving technologies.

In addition to DroneTex, iCOMAT is an advanced manufacturing company providing technology for producing defect-free curved-fibre composite parts at industrial scale. They provide low-mass structures for the aerospace, automotive, defence, and space industry sectors, at a cost efficiency that far exceeds existing composite production processes.

We are also excited to be associated with Tekever who are planned to be located in the former iconic ‘Renault building’ based in West Swindon.

We are pleased to be continuing our collaboration with Tadley Precision Machining Ltd to provide ongoing Taber abrasion testing according to ASTM D4060 to confirm the wear resistance of paint systems. Tadley Precision Machining are able to provide finishing capabilities that include shotblasting, powder coating, wet painting and metallisation as well as bespoke design, metal fabrication and coded welding.

As UV radiation and associated temperatures increase in the UK and Northern Europe in general, the problem of heat-stress to buildings including domestic dwellings is now a major concern to the building industry and insurance sectors. Cracking around brickwork resembling subsidence is a concern for many house owners and landlords around the UK and AWL are pleased to be helping flexible stone cladding and veneer manufactures confirm longevity in terms of fade, colour-shift, loss of mechanical and thermal barrier properties.

Flexible stone cladding and veneering (used to mimic rendering), is considered one of the most practical, aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective installs to help older buildings cope with heat-stress related defects by testing formulations that provide surface protection from short wavelength UV radiation levels and barrier protection from the associated longer solar wavelengths (nIR solar radiation) responsible for deep-penetrating heat-stress damage to coatings and structures.

We would like to remind our numerous number plate testing clients that the correct dimensions and print format for samples must be in accordance with Fig 1 of BS AU 145e:2018. Any other format shall not be acceptable if a certificate of conformance is required.

An example of an acceptable format is shown below, and it should be noted that the B8 and black square can be located at any end of the plate. There is a need for enough space between the black print for the linear abrasion test stroke length that is only required over the reflective.

We are pleased to be continuing our long association with Bucher Municipal Ltd by helping them establish continued corrosion durability for the paint systems used on their vast range of municipal vehicles. From snowploughs to grit spreaders, road sweepers and waste collection vehicles, Bucher Municipal provide solutions for the most demanding environments during highways maintenance operations.

We are pleased to have helped Metro Engineering & Plating Works confirm abrasion performance of their hard anodised plating according to military standard MIL-PRF-8625 and ISO 10074. These robust test methods require 10000 abrasion cycles using CS17 course abrasive wheels under a 1kg load with minimal mass loss requirements to provide a satisfactory test result.

Metro Plating are a family run finishing company based in Uxbridge, Middlesex, specialising in treatments on aluminium. Established in 1946, they are now in their 78th year of providing a quality service to industry providing high-capacity rapid turnaround anodising and chromate conversion finishes to industry, with particular emphasis on the aerospace, motorsport, marine and medical sectors.

We are again pleased to have helped Rotork Controls Ltd confirm the corrosion and durability category of one of their standard paint systems used to protect offshore steel and iron-based substrates. Rotork specialises in flow control solutions for actuators, gearboxes, instruments, and control systems that open, close, and precisely regulate industrial valves. They are a major global supplier across oil & gas, water & power, and chemical/process industries and AWL are proud to have supported Rotork’s UK Bath and Leeds based plants for their corrosion (ISO 12944) and UV weathering testing (BS EN ISO 16474) requirements.